Hello, BiggerStays brigade!
I hope you are well rested from the Super Bowl’s snooze fest. (The clear winner from the week was Mountain Dew’s Baja Blast commercial.)
This week’s STR news will wake you up as we continue to provide the knowledge and insights to take your hosting to the next level.
-Garrett Brown (BiggerPockets STR Expert) |
- VRBO’s Top Trending Cities: The OG of OTAs has released its best cities for travel each month of 2025. Are these markets a boom or doom for investors?
- Analyze STRs Like a Pro: Your STR journey can fail before listing a property. Learn how to make sure you win from day one.
- Mickey Mouse Goes Glamping: Even Disney knows that STRs are changing. How can you benefit from their big bet?
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🏅VRBO’s Best Cities for 2025 |
VRBO has been around way before Airbnb, but let’s be honest: They lost the U.S. market share battle in the past decade. Now they’re fighting back, throwing direct shots at Airbnb in their ads (Nick Saban energy: still in the game, still winning).
And what’s the easiest way to get STR investors talking? A trending destination list, of course. VRBO just dropped their "Where to Go in 2025" list, ranking the hottest vacation spots by month.
We pulled AirDNA stats to see if these cities make sense for STR investors. Some are cash cows, while others might be better off on a postcard.
📍 January—Pocono Mountains, PA (#9 Best Places to Visit in Jan)
💰 Annual Revenue: $54,500
🏡 ADR: $400.76 Occupancy: 42%
📍 February—Santa Fe, NM (#16 Best Places to Visit in Feb)
💰 Annual Revenue: $56,200
🏡 ADR: $299.47 Occupancy: 62%
📍 March—San Antonio, TX (#5 Best Places to Visit in March)
💰 Annual Revenue: $36,400
🏡 ADR: $231.90 Occupancy: 50%
📍 April—Hot Springs, AR (#10 Best Places to Visit in April)
💰 Annual Revenue: $37,500
🏡 ADR: $263.29 Occupancy: 44%
📍 May—Houston, TX (#10 Best Places to Visit in May)
💰 Annual Revenue: $30,900
🏡 ADR: $201.10 Occupancy: 52%
📍 June—Delaware Coast, DE (#4 Best Places to Visit in June)
💰 Annual Revenue: $51,900
🏡 ADR: $365.37 Occupancy: 57%
📍 July—Virginia Beach, VA (#9 Best Places to Visit in July)
💰 Annual Revenue: $50,200
🏡 ADR: $325.58 Occupancy: 56%
📍 August—Traverse City, MI (#9 Best Places to Visit in Aug)
💰 Annual Revenue: $53,900
🏡 ADR: $384.66 Occupancy: 53%
📍 September—Hancock County, ME (#4 Best Places to Visit in Sep)
💰 Annual Revenue: $49,800
🏡 ADR: $298.50 Occupancy: 67%
📍 October—Shenandoah Valley, VA (#19 Best Places to Visit in Oct)
💰 Annual Revenue: $42,500
🏡 ADR: $270.80 Occupancy: 48%
📍 November—Branson, MO (#6 Best Places to Visit in Nov)
💰 Annual Revenue: $40,500
🏡 ADR: $249.96 Occupancy: 51%
📍 December—Park City, UT (#6 Best Places to Visit in Dec)
💰 Annual Revenue: $87,800
🏡 ADR: $675.33 Occupancy: 51%
Some of these markets cash flow, while others may be more of a VRBO fantasy pick than an actual moneymaker.
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Is Your Short-Term Rental Actually Profitable? 🤔 |
The golden days of Airbnb & VRBO are over—now, only serious hosts will thrive. This video breaks down how to analyze an STR correctly so you don’t end up with a dud.
📊 What You’ll Learn: |
- Checking STR regulations to avoid costly mistakes
- The best tools for revenue & market analysis
- Property features that drive bookings & profit
- Breaking down STR expenses & budgeting
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We’re raising capital from accredited investors to acquire 20 Class A new-build rental properties in top Memphis school districts. With in-house property management and 2,400+ single-family homes under management, we have the expertise to maximize returns. |
- 8% Cash Flow Yield Paid Monthly plus 90/10 equity split
- Low Risk: No Construction or Development Risk is Being Taken
- Offering Ends: 2/14
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Don't miss this opportunity to invest in high-quality rental properties with a proven team in Memphis Investment Properties. Click the link below for more information! |
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🐭 Why Disney Is Investing in Unique Cabin Stays |
Disney isn’t just about castles and roller coasters anymore—it’s making a big bet on the future of unique cabin stays with its new DVC cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. With the vacation rental market evolving, even Disney sees the growing demand for experience-driven stays that blend nature, comfort, and immersive theming.
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What This Means for the Short-Term Rental Market
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For short-term rental investors, Disney’s expansion into modern cabin experiences reinforces a trend we’ve already been seeing: | - Guests want immersive stays, not just accommodations. Themed cabins, treehouses, and dome stays thrive because they offer an experience beyond four walls.
- Nature-based stays are booming. Fort Wilderness proves that blending outdoor adventure with comfort is a winning formula.
- Hospitality giants are paying attention. If Disney is doubling down on unique cabin rentals, it’s time for independent hosts to elevate their offerings—whether through better design, storytelling, or guest experiences.
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Hot Topics from the Short-Term Rental & Airbnb Investing Forum, presented by Hospitable |
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| Steadily provides fast, reliable property insurance exclusively for real estate investors. Coverage built for STRs, MTRs and LTRs, you can get a quote online in minutes. As an official BiggerPockets partner, we make protecting rental properties easy. |
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What six U.S. cities score a 99 out of 100 on AirDNA’s “Market Score”? |
According to AirDNA’s ranking system that ranks cities from 0-100, these six are the top performers:
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- Joshua Tree, CA
- Montgomery, AL
- Logan, OH
- Dayton, OH
- Las Vegas, NV
- Chattanooga, TN
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